U.S. patent application number 13/164064 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-07 for automatic evaluation system for vehicle devices using vehicle simulator.
This patent application is currently assigned to HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY. Invention is credited to Jong Ho Kim, Jung Jun Lee.
Application Number | 20120143518 13/164064 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46083083 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120143518 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Jong Ho ; et
al. |
June 7, 2012 |
AUTOMATIC EVALUATION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE DEVICES USING VEHICLE
SIMULATOR
Abstract
Disclosed is a system of automatically evaluating vehicle
devices using a vehicle simulator. The system includes a vehicle
simulator that is configured to replicate an actual vehicle in
combination with vehicle devices mounted therein. The system also
includes a system base configured to generate and output an input
signal to be input into a controller in order to operate the
vehicle devices that are targeted for evaluation according to
contents set in a test case data entered by an evaluator.
Additionally, the system base also measures and analyzes an output
signal from the controller in response to the input signal. Further
a signal connecting unit is configured to connect the vehicle
simulator with the system base via a signal.
Inventors: |
Kim; Jong Ho; (Hwaseong,
KR) ; Lee; Jung Jun; (Seoul, KR) |
Assignee: |
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
46083083 |
Appl. No.: |
13/164064 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
702/33 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05B 23/0251
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
702/33 |
International
Class: |
G06F 19/00 20110101
G06F019/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 2, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0121994 |
Claims
1. An automatic evaluation system for vehicle devices, comprising:
a vehicle simulator that is configured to replicate an actual
vehicle in combination with vehicle devices mounted therein; a
system base that generates and outputs an input signal inputted to
a controller to operate vehicle devices which are targeted for
evaluation according to contents set in a test case data inputted
by an evaluator and that detects and analyzes an output signal
outputted from the controller in response to the input signal; and
a signal connecting unit that connects the vehicle simulator with
the system base via a signal.
2. The automatic evaluation system for vehicle devices according to
claim 1, wherein the vehicle simulator is configured to allow the
vehicle devices mounted in each division of a frame to operate in
the same manner as if each vehicle device was mounted in an actual
vehicle in response to an input signal applied to the controller
from the system base, the vehicle simulator configured in
combination with the vehicle devices in a similar manner as the
vehicle device would be mounted in the actual vehicle therein with
a controller, an input unit for applying an input signal to the
controller to operate the vehicle device, an operation unit
operating in response to an output signal outputted from the
controller, and wirings connected therebetween.
3. The automatic evaluation system for vehicle devices according to
claim 1, wherein the system base comprises: a control unit
configured to control an evaluation and analyze the evaluation
results in response to a content set according to test case data,
and compare the analyzed data with an evaluation reference to
perform an evaluation decision therein; a signal input/output unit
for generating and outputting an input signal for the controller
input to the controller of the vehicle simulator vehicle device in
response to a control signal from the control unit, and receiving
an output signal output from the controller of the vehicle device
to transmit the output signal to the control unit; an input/output
unit for input/output of data of the control unit; a display for
displaying information selected from the group consisting of
evaluation setting information, evaluation procedure information,
evaluation state information, result and analysis information, and
decision result information that are transmitted from the control
unit; and a power supplying unit for supplying electric power to
operate the system base.
4. The automatic evaluation system for vehicle devices according to
claim 3, wherein the system base further comprises a diagnosis
communication unit for monitoring a Control Area Network (CAN)
communication with the vehicle simulator side controller and
performing a diagnosis communication.
5. The automatic evaluation system for vehicle devices according to
claim 3, wherein the control unit has a control program configured
to control each system base operation for setting contents
contained in the test case data by reading an electronic data
container of test case data prepared in advance by an evaluator,
and for performing an evaluation based on the contents set in the
test case data.
6. The automatic evaluation system for vehicle devices according to
claim 5, wherein the control program comprises: a test case
converter for automatically converting the test case data to
available data; a test case executer for controlling an evaluation
performance, analyzing the results, and determining the evaluation
result; and a port manager for connecting an input/output port of
the signal input/output unit with the controller of the vehicle
devices.
7. The automatic evaluation system for vehicle devices according to
claim 1, wherein the test case data is data prescribing: evaluation
items for vehicle devices, evaluation executing instructions, a
list and definition of all signals generated during evaluation,
information on input signals of the controller relating to an
actual operating condition, settings for connecting the vehicle
devices, evaluation references and expected output states according
to an input signal, and control setting for the power supply.
8. The automatic evaluation system for vehicle devices according to
claim 3, wherein the power supplying unit is configured in
combination with the power source control unit for controlling
electric power of a vehicle using an AC 220V power source and a
battery according to contents set in the test case data while
supplying electric power necessary for operating the vehicle
devices.
9. A method for automatically evaluating vehicle devices, the
method comprising: replicating an actual vehicle in combination
with vehicle devices mounted therein via a vehicle simulator;
generating and outputting, by a system base, an input signal
provided to a controller to operate vehicle devices which are
targeted for evaluation according to one or more contents set in
test case data entered by an evaluator detecting and analyzing an
output signal produced from the controller in response to the input
signal; diagnosing and comparing the resultant data with an
expected value of the test case data; and determining by the
control unit whether the vehicle device passes or fails the
evaluation based on the comparison result.
10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising:
controlling, by a first unit, an evaluation; analyzing, by the
first unit, the evaluation results based on a content set according
to test case data; comparing, by the first unit, the analyzed data
with an evaluation reference to perform an evaluation decision
therein; generating and outputting an input signal, by a second
unit, to the controller of vehicle device mounted on the vehicle
simulator in response to a control signal from the first unit; and
receiving an output signal from the controller of the vehicle
device to transmit the output signal to the first unit.
11. The method of claim 9, the method further comprising displaying
information, on a display, the information selected from a group
consisting of evaluation setting information, evaluation procedure
information, evaluation state information, result and analysis
information, and decision result information that are transmitted
from the control unit.
12. An automatic evaluation system for vehicle devices, comprising:
a vehicle simulator configured to replicate a vehicle in
combination with vehicle devices mounted therein; a system base
configured to generate and output an input signal to be input into
a controller in order to operate one or more vehicle devices which
are targeted for evaluation according to contents set in test case
data entered by an evaluator, the system base further configured to
automatically detect and analyze an output signal received from the
controller; and a first unit configured to connect the vehicle
simulator with the system base via a signal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) the
benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0121994 filed Dec.
2, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] (a) Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a system for evaluating
vehicle devices. More particularly, it relates to an automatic
evaluation system for vehicle devices that upgrades a to
conventional manual evaluation mode to an automatic evaluation mode
at a vehicle level thereby reducing the duration required for
evaluation and development and securing the reliability of the
evaluation accordingly.
[0004] (b) Background Art
[0005] With the extensive growth in number of vehicles and the
remarkable development of the associated industries and electronic
techniques, there has been an increasing need by vehicle drivers in
terms of convenience, safety and assistance in vehicle
operation.
[0006] To meet these needs, vehicle manufactures have recently been
incorporating various convenience devices, safety equipments,
auxiliary operation devices or the like into the vehicles they
produce. For example, such devices may include a keyless entry
system, a push button start system, an auto light system, a lamp
system such as a door switch type room lamp and the like, a memory
seat system, an automatic wiper system, a power window system, a
rear side warning system, a voice warning system, clusters,
multifunction switches, various kinds of vehicle devices and air
conditioner associated with BCM (body control module), chassis
control associated devices, etc.
[0007] Such devices are emerging as important tools to take the
lead in the future vehicle market and various devices with new
functions are currently being developed one after another to meet
this need.
[0008] Incidentally, as a number of devices/tools in a vehicle
increases compared with a to conventional vehicle, the number of
evaluation items for a vehicle also rapidly increases, thereby
taking a greater amount of time to input/output various kinds of
signals for test and evaluation, measure experimental results, and
evaluate and analyze the measured data.
[0009] One noted disadvantage of the current system for evaluating
these new devices in a vehicle is that it is hard to determine
whether a large number of vehicle devices such as electronic parts
mounted in an actual vehicle, especially in a brand new vehicle
models under development accurately operate in response to an input
by a separate manipulation in order to check to see if each
resultant output state is identical to a corresponding
predetermined state. By "separate manipulation" it is meant that
each and every manipulation of all vehicle devices (e.g., door
switch, lamp, wiper, interior lamp, etc.) to be installed in an
actual vehicle comprising inputting signals for each device, and
examining whether the output state of each device exhibits a
suitable response as predetermined.
[0010] Further, using the conventional method, each of the vehicle
devices mounted in an actual vehicle should be inputted with
signals in separate manual modes and the resultant output state
from the vehicle devices should be evaluated repeatedly. However,
such manual mode and repeatability may cause various problems such
as overload in work, decrease in efficiency of work, a relatively
long period of time for evaluation, incompletion of a reliable
evaluation, etc.
[0011] Even in the case of simply inputting an on/off signal to the
devices, the number of tests increases geometrically when
considering the number of possible conditions in which the device
could operate thereby making it impossible to practically check all
of the related to conditions. Accordingly, an automated evaluation
system for vehicle devices is needed.
[0012] The above information disclosed in this Background section
is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the
invention and therefore it may contain information that does not
form the prior art that is already known in this country to a
person of ordinary skill in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0013] The present invention relates to an automatic evaluation
system for one or more vehicle devices that enables an automatic
evaluation to be utilized in an automotive evaluation process.
Accordingly, the present invention allows an automotive manufacture
to meet the rapidly changing environment in vehicle industry,
especially in view of the growing number of advanced technology
vehicles and the number of advanced devices mounted therein,
thereby reducing the time required for evaluation while at the same
time acquiring a reliable evaluation.
[0014] The present invention also relates to a method of enhancing
evaluation efficiency of vehicles by converting various kinds of
evaluation methods manually performed for various vehicle devices
into automatic evaluation methods, and strengthening the
preliminary diagnosis of functions of those methods. Thus, the
present invention also secures product reliability by minimizing
errors often caused by manual tests/manual evaluations, e.g., human
errors.
[0015] In one aspect, the present invention provides a system for
automatically evaluating to vehicle devices using a vehicle
simulator. More specifically, the system includes a vehicle
simulator that is configured to replicate an actual vehicle in
combination with vehicle devices mounted in the vehicle. The system
also includes a system base that generates and outputs an input
signal which is sent to a controller to operate vehicle devices
that are targeted for evaluation according to contents set in a
test case data entered by an evaluator. The system base also
measures and analyzes an output signal received from the controller
in response to the input signal. Further, the system additionally
includes a signal connecting unit that connects the vehicle
simulator with the system base via a signal, e.g., a wireless
signal.
[0016] According to the automatic evaluation system of the present
invention, when evaluating vehicle devices such as various kinds of
electronic parts and the like mounted in a vehicle, an automatic
evaluation mode correlating with a particular vehicle level (i.e.,
the types of vehicle devices and wires that would be installed in
the vehicle) may be employed using a vehicle simulator and test
case data, thereby reducing the time for evaluation and development
while securing the reliability of evaluation.
[0017] Particularly, the system according to the present invention
serves provide a system in which methods previously manually
performed to evaluate vehicle devices are converted to automatic
evaluation methods, thereby enhancing the efficiency of evaluation,
and minimizing errors caused by manual tests/manual checks, thus
providing improved preliminary diagnosis of functions and secure
the reliability in development quality in a much shorter time
period.
[0018] In addition, the automatic evaluation system makes it
possible for a vehicle to manufacturer to check the vehicle devices
in cooperation with a parts manufacturer prior to each step of
vehicle development thereby allowing an enhanced degree of
completion in development quality.
[0019] Such automatic evaluation system may be additionally applied
to a chassis system together with a vehicle body system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The above and other features of the present invention will
now be described in detail with reference to certain exemplary
embodiments thereof illustrated the accompanying drawings which are
given hereinbelow by way of illustration only, and thus are not
limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall
configuration of an automatic evaluation system for vehicle devices
according an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a system base in an automatic
evaluation system for vehicle devices according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the automatic evaluation
process for vehicle devices according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0024] FIG. 4 is a table of a test case data showing an output
state of a room lamp in response to a door input according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] Reference numerals set forth in the Drawings includes
reference to the following elements as further discussed below:
[0026] 1: test case data [0027] 100: vehicle simulator [0028] 110:
controller [0029] 200: system base [0030] 210: control device
[0031] 211: control program [0032] 212: test case converter [0033]
213: test case executer [0034] 214: port manager [0035] 220: signal
input/output unit [0036] 230: diagnosis communication unit [0037]
240: power supplying unit [0038] 250: display [0039] 300: signal
connecting unit
[0040] It should be understood that the appended drawings are not
necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified
representation of various preferred features illustrative of the
basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of
the present invention as disclosed herein, including, for example,
specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be
determined in part by the particular intended application and use
environment.
[0041] In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or
equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several
figures of the drawing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] Hereinafter reference will now be made in detail to various
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While
the invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary
embodiments, it will be understood that present description is not
intended to limit the invention to those exemplary embodiments. On
the contrary, the invention is intended to cover not only the
exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives,
modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be
included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by
the appended claims.
[0043] It is understood that the term "vehicle" or other similar
term as used herein is inclusive of motor vehicles in general such
as passenger automobiles including sports utility vehicles (SUV),
buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a
variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes
hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric
vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel
vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum).
As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that has two
or more sources of power, for example, both gasoline-powered and
electric-powered vehicles.
[0044] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall
configuration of an automatic evaluation system for vehicle devices
according an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2
is a front view showing a system base in an automatic evaluation
system to for vehicle devices according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention. Finally, FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing
the automatic evaluation process for vehicle devices according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] As shown in the drawings, the automatic evaluation system
includes a vehicle simulator 100 that is configured to copy an
actual vehicle in combination with vehicle devices mounted in a
vehicle; a system base 200 that generates and outputs an input
signal sent to a controller 110 to operate vehicle devices that are
targeted for evaluation according to contents set in a test case
data 1 entered by an evaluator. The system base 200 also measures
and analyzes an output signal outputted from the controller 110 of
a corresponding vehicle in response to the input signal. The
automatic evaluation system further includes a signal connecting
unit that connects the vehicle simulator 100 with the system base
200 via a signal, e.g., a wireless or wired signal.
[0046] The vehicle simulator 100 is configured in such a manner
that various vehicle devices targeted for evaluation are mounted in
each division of a frame 101 of the vehicle simulator 100 and
operate in the same manner as they would in an actual vehicle in
response to an input signal applied to the controller 110 from the
system base 200. As would an actual vehicle mounted therein with
each of the vehicle devices, the vehicle simulator 100 is
configured to replicate an actual vehicle includes a controller 110
(for example, BCM), an input unit (e.g., door switch) for applying
an input signal to the controller 110 to operate the vehicle
device, an operation unit (e.g., room lamp) operating in response
to an output signal (control signal) output from the controller
110, and wirings connected therebetween. In this manner, the
vehicle simulator 100 is configured in combination with the vehicle
devices similar to as they would be in an actual vehicle.
[0047] Such vehicle devices mounted in the vehicle simulator 100
may include a keyless entry system, a push button start system, an
auto light system, a lamp system such as door switch room lamp and
the like, a memory seat system, a wiper system (manual or
automatic), a power window system, a rear side warning system, a
voice warning system, a cluster, multifunction switch, a various
kinds of vehicle devices associated with BCM (body control module),
etc.
[0048] Such vehicle devices are listed just as exemplary devices
which may be mounted in the vehicle simulator 100. The devices can
be mounted in the vehicle simulator 100 of the present invention
are not limited to the above-listed devices, but may be expanded
to, for instance, an air conditioner, various kinds of devices
associated with chassis control, etc.
[0049] The system base 200 serves as a signal generator to generate
an input signal to be sent an input terminal (connected to the
input unit) of the controller 110 of a corresponding vehicle device
via the signal connecting unit 300, and receive an output signal
from the controller 110 in response to the input signal. That is,
the system base receives output signals sent from an output
terminal of the controller 110 via the signal connecting unit 300
to thereby collect and analyze the resultant data.
[0050] The signal connecting unit 300 may be for example, any kind
of connection unit which transmits a power input and a
communication between the interfaces of the system base 200 and the
vehicle simulator 100. The signal connecting unit 300 shown in the
to drawing may be connected to a communication cable and a power
cable that are connected to a power port and an input/output port
of the system base 200 and may be a pin box provided with a
plurality of connector terminals.
[0051] When the terminals of the communication cable and the power
cable connected to the pin box are connected to the input/output
port and the power port of the system base 200, and the terminal of
the communication cable connected from the controller 110 of the
vehicle simulator 100 side vehicle devices is connected via
insertion to the selected connector terminal of the pin box, the
system base 200 and the vehicle simulator 100 are electrically
connected so that signal input/output and supply of power
therebetween may be possible.
[0052] Herein, the system base 200 and the vehicle simulator 100
(for example, controller 110 of vehicle device) transmit various
digital and analogue types of signals such as high/low signals,
voltage signals, PWM signals, diagnosis signals and so on through
the communication cable to provide communication therebetween.
Additionally, the communication cables also make it possible to
form a K-line (diagnosis) communication linkage and a CAN
communication linkage between the system base 200 and the vehicle
simulator 100.
[0053] Hereinafter, the system base in the automatic evaluation
system will now be described in more detail.
[0054] The system base 200 for performing an automatic evaluation
of a vehicle, serves to automatically apply an input signal to the
controller 110 for each of the vehicle devices according to
contents set in the test case data 1, and automatically perform an
evaluation to to detect and analyze an output signal (e.g., a
control signal applied to the operation unit) of the controller
output from the controller 110 of the vehicle devices, at a
complete vehicle level.
[0055] The system base 200 includes a control unit 210 for
controlling an evaluation and analyzing the results in response to
a content set according to a test case data prepared and inputted
by an evaluator. The control unit is further configured to compare
the analyzed data with an evaluation reference to perform an
evaluation decision.
[0056] Also included the system base 200 is a signal input/output
unit 220 for generating and outputting an input signal of the
controller input to the controller 110 of the vehicle simulator 100
vehicle device in response to a control signal of the control unit
210. The signal input/output unit 220 also receives an output
signal from the controller 110 of the vehicle device. This output
signal contains the output of the controller 110. The signal
input/output unit 220 then transmits the output signal to the
control unit 210.
[0057] Furthermore, a power supplying unit 220 is also provided in
system base 200 to supply electric power in order to operate the
system base 200.
[0058] In some embodiments of the present invention, the system
base 200 may further include a display 250 for displaying all
information, such as evaluation setting information, evaluation
procedure information, evaluation state information, result and
analysis information, failure information and so on, that are
transmitted from the control unit 210. That being said, the control
unit 210, the display 250 and the input/output unit may be realized
as a personal computer, a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, etc.
[0059] In addition, the system base 200 may further include a
diagnosis communication unit to 230 for monitoring, e.g., a
controller area network (CAN) communication between each of the
controller 110 of the vehicle simulator 100 and performing a
diagnosis communication with the controller 110.
[0060] The control unit 210 is installed therein with a control
program 211 that controls each of the operations of the system base
200 for carrying out an evaluation performance such as generating
and outputting of an input signal of the controller based on
contents set in the test case data 1, inputting and detecting of an
output signal of the controller, performing a control function
associated with an evaluation such as a power control function and
the like, analyzing and deciding of the results, matching of pins
for connecting the signal input/output unit 220 with the controller
110 of the vehicle devices, etc.
[0061] For example, the control program 211 installed in the
control unit 210 may include a test case converter 212 for
automatically converting the test case data 1 prepared and inputted
by an evaluator to data available in another unit; a test case
executer 213 for controlling of an evaluation performance,
analyzing the results, and determining the evaluation; and a port
manager 214 for connecting an input/output port of the signal
input/output unit 220 with the controller 110 of the vehicle
devices via e.g., pin-matching.
[0062] According to the present invention, the test case data 1 is
created by testing and making a list of misuse and past cases such
as user conditions. Additionally, the test case data corresponds to
data in which diagnosis communications for each of the vehicle
devices, actual operating conditions of the vehicle devices in a
vehicle, evaluators' know-how for evaluation and so on are
reflected. The test case data may include various data prescribing:
evaluation items for specific vehicle devices, information and
evaluation executing instructions based on an input signal from the
controller relating to actual operating condition, a list and
definition of all signals (e.g., a digital input control signal
applied to the controller 110) generated during evaluation,
definition of a signal connection between the vehicle devices
(e.g., setting of pin-matching for connecting the vehicle devices),
evaluation reference and output state (e.g., digital output)
according to an input signal, setting of control of power supply,
etc.
[0063] Such test case data 1 may be available in various formats
such as an electronic data container that is stored in and
input/output to the control unit 210 and read by the control
program 211, e.g., excel file (EXCEL).
[0064] In this case, the control program 211 may be configured to
set contents contained in the test case data 1 by the control unit
210 which is configured to read an electronic data container of the
test case data 1 prepared in advance by an evaluator. In addition,
the control program 211 may be configured to modify contents set
according to the test case data 1 input or input an additional set
content other than the contents of the test case data 1.
[0065] The test case data 1 may be manually generated by an
evaluator using an external personal computer 2 and the like and
input into an input/output unit of the control unit, for example, a
USB port (which is used for transmission of data from the system
base 200, loading of programs, and connection of an external
computer 2), or the like.
[0066] After the evaluation, the test case data 1 may be
additionally stored therein along with analysis information (e.g.,
voltage level and analysis of CAN communication data) and to
detection results (e.g., data on wave forms and a voltage level
output from the controller 110) according to each test case,
information on evaluation results, data of CAN communication, log
data etc. In addition, the test case data 1 stored therein with
additional information may be transmitted to the external personal
computer 2 to be used as a database.
[0067] FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of the test case data
prescribing an output state of a room lamp in response to an input
of a door.
[0068] More specifically, the signal input/output unit 220 serves
to generate and output an input signal (e.g., input signal to be
applied to the controller 110 of the vehicle device) as defined in
the test case data 1 when the test case executer 213 performs an
evaluation and receive an output signal (for example, a signal
associated with a voltage level) of the controller output from the
controller 110 of the vehicle device to thereby transmit the output
signal to the controller 210.
[0069] The power supplying unit 240 is configured to provide the
electric power necessary for operation of the vehicle devices, and
to control and supply electric power of a vehicle that is being
replicated by to the vehicle simulator 100 according to the test
case data 1. The power supplying unit 240 may be configured in
combination with a power source control device (not shown) for
controlling the electric power (B+/ACC/IG1/IG2) supplied to a
vehicle using a power source, e.g., AC 220V, DC 12V (Battery)
according to the test case data 1.
[0070] The display 250 may display for example test case numbers to
be executed, an evaluation reference of the test case, and an input
signal set according to the test case. An evaluator may select,
execute and stop of the test cases, store the results and so on via
the display 250 and keyboard/mouse, etc.
[0071] FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the system base 200
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In
particular, the system base 200 is provided at a front side thereof
with the control unit 210, display 250, digital signal input/output
port 221 as a configuration element of the signal input/output unit
220, pulse width modulator (PWM) output port 222, analog input port
223 and output port 224.
[0072] Each of the signal input/output ports 221 to 224 corresponds
to interfaces for connecting the signal input/output unit 220 to
outside devices, the analog input port 223 is input via, e.g., an
analog signal output from the controller 110, and the analog output
port 224 is supplied with a vehicle electric power such as
B+/ACC/IG1/IG2 and the like which is controlled by the power source
control device connected to the power supplying unit 240. Also, in
other embodiments of the present invention, various ports may be
added to the system base in addition to the above-mentioned
input/output ports.
[0073] Hereinafter, a process for evaluating the vehicle devices
will now be described with reference to FIG. 3 according to the
present invention.
[0074] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure for
preparing test case data and a process for evaluating the vehicle
devices using the automatic evaluation system.
[0075] First, to prepare the test case data, an evaluator prepares
a list of signals prescribing a definition for each signal and a
signal map prescribing a definition of the connection between the
vehicle devices. While preparing of the signal map, virtual signals
are converted to to physical signals such as, for example, a
digital output (DO), a digital input (DI), an analog output (AO),
PWM, etc. The test cases are generated as wave forms, and then,
redefined as signals based on time (e.g., at this time, use a
Mapper in a map producing program, a signal generator, etc.). A
`Mapper` may have the functions of (a) redefining a list defined
regarding the characteristics of signals (e.g., digital input,
digital output, analogue input, analogue output, etc.) into a
physical signal and (b) redefining a defined signal [e.g., test
case (test condition approval list)] by means of a signal
generator, thereby generating a wave form. In other words, by
`Mapper` it is meant a device which provides a practical/real
signal so that, e.g., a test case, prepared in the form of a
document, can be approved, in most cases automatically, in a
vehicle simulator.
[0076] Next, the test case data 1 (e.g., the input of input, output
of prediction, and mark of timing) is prepared using the signal
map.
[0077] In this manner, after the test case data 1 has been
prepared, cables connected to the vehicle simulator 100 (e.g., the
input/output terminal of the controller and the input terminal of
vehicle power supply) for executing an evaluation are connected to
the pin box of the signal connecting unit 300, and the input/output
ports of the system base 200 are connected to the pin box with the
cables so as to be matched in, for example, a one to one ratio.
[0078] Next, when the test case data 1, prepared in advance, is
input to the control unit 210 of the system base 200, and, then,
the control program 211 is run in the control unit 210 to select
the test case data 1, the test case converter 212, test case
executer 213 and port manager 214 are executed, and at the same
time, the control unit 210 automatically detects data thereby
setting evaluation and controlling output of the vehicle simulator
100 to the vehicle devices. In other words, the control unit 210
outputs a control signal according to contents set in the test case
data 1, and the signal input/output unit 220 generates and outputs
an input signal of the controller 110 for controlling the operation
of the vehicle devices mounted in the vehicle simulator 100 in
response to the control signal. Accordingly, the controller 110
outputs a control signal in response to the input signal.
[0079] Next, the control unit 210 of the system base 200 receives a
signal output from the controller 110 through the signal
input/output unit 220, and the input and output of signal to the
controller 110 is repeated a set number of times, and then, the
control unit 210 of the system base 200 takes the resultant data
and diagnoses and compares the resultant data with an expected
value of the test case, (e.g., an evaluation reference). It is then
determined by the control unit 210 whether the vehicle device
passes or fails an evaluation based on the comparison result. The
results are then stored for later use.
[0080] Advantageously, the automatic evaluation system provides an
automatic evaluation mode for evaluating a device within a vehicle
by using a vehicle simulator and test case data. The present
invention also makes it possible to automate a time consuming
repetitive process and a timing evaluation process, thereby
reducing a work load, enhancing the reliability of evaluation,
reducing the duration of evaluation, etc.
[0081] The invention has been described in detail with reference to
preferred embodiments thereof. However, it will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these
embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the
invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and
their equivalents.
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